Derby County player set for surprise Pride Park exit after contract dispute | OneFootball

Danny Batth is set to leave Derby County this summer after being unable to agree terms on a new deal

Derby County narrowly missed out on a place in the Championship top six last season, and as the Rams look to go one better next time around, some key contract decisions must be made, as one shock move has already taken place.

Indeed, Derby's 2-1 home defeat on the final day to Sheffield United meant the Rams missed out on a place in the second-tier play-offs, as Pride Park will once again be the host of Championship football next campaign.

Whilst the season ended in disappointing fashion, Derby supporters will take a bundle of encouragement from this year, having only previously avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth the campaign prior.

Ahead of next season, Eustace will be aiming to keep the core of his squad together, having made his intentions of bringing back numerous loan players clear.

However, as the likes of Callum Elder, Andreas Weimann, and Ben Osborn have been announced to be leaving the club, it now appears as though they will be joined in heading out of the exit door by a shock name.

Danny Batth is set to become a free agent after being unable to agree on fresh terms with Derby County

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When Derby released their retained list for the campaign, they announced the departures of each of Elder, Weimann, and Osborn, as experienced defender Danny Batth remained in talks with the club over extending his terms, which are due to expire this summer.

It was expected that Batth, 35, would sign a fresh deal with the Rams, having proven himself to be a steady option at the heart of defence, offering strong competition to the likes of Dion Sanderson, Matt Clarke, and Sondre Langas.

However, it has now been revealed by Alan Nixon via Patreon that Batth is set to depart Pride Park at the end of the month following the expiry of his current deal, having been unable to come to an agreement on fresh terms.

Batth, who has managed over 360 Championship appearances for the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stoke City, Sunderland, Norwich City, and Blackburn Rovers, as well as Derby, reportedly wanted to stay with the Rams, but the club only offered a major pay cut, something which the Englishman is seemingly unwilling to take.

Eustace, too, saw Batth as a key part of his plans heading into next season, but must now make do without the experienced centre-back.

The former Wolves defender made just ten league appearances for Derby last campaign, having more often than not appeared on the bench for the Rams, but his experience and presence around the place will no doubt be a huge loss.

Now, Derby will likely be in the market for another new centre-back following his departure, as Batth is set to be on the hunt for another club over the coming weeks and months, as his one-year stay at Pride Park comes to an end.

John Eustace mustn't dwell on Danny Batth's Derby County exit ahead of huge Championship campaign ahead

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Eustace will no doubt be disappointed by the news of Batth's impending exit, but the former Birmingham City and Blackburn boss cannot afford to dwell too much on his departure.

Whilst not one of the first names on the team sheet, the Englishman proved to be one of the most dependable rotation options around, and given his experience in the game, that cannot be easily replaced.

However, the 46-year-old boss has no choice but to find a way to do so, with Derby looking to build upon their success of last season and fight for a place in the top six.

Batth's loss is not insignificant by any stretch of the imagination, and is something Eustace must deal with accordingly to prepare his side for a push towards the play-offs next campaign.